Nigeria under siege: COPDEM issues ultimatum to federal government over rising insecurity

DDM News

The Coalition for the Protection of Democracy (COPDEM) has declared that Nigeria is under siege and is demanding urgent, decisive action from the federal government.

In a strongly worded press statement released on April 18, 2025, through its national media team, and signed by National Chairman Rwang Pam Jr., the coalition called on the presidency and National Assembly to immediately address the alarming security crisis engulfing the country.

COPDEM stated that following the second emergency session of its People’s Parliament, held on April 18, 2025, and building on prior resolutions from March 31 and April 1, it has become evident that Nigeria is no longer dealing with isolated cases of insecurity.

According to Diaspora digital media (DDM), the group argued that what is currently happening is a well-coordinated campaign of terror, genocide, and lawlessness, with no end in sight unless bold steps are taken.

“This is not the time for silence or political correctness,” the statement reads.

“Nigeria is bleeding.”

“Citizens are being slaughtered daily in their homes, on their farms, in schools, and in places of worship.”

“What we are witnessing is not just insecurity, it is a systematic and deliberate extermination of innocent people.”

Genocide in the heart of Nigeria

According to COPDEM, the evidence of coordinated attacks is overwhelming.

Within the first quarter of 2025, more than 230 Nigerians were killed in Bokkos and Mangu local government areas (LGAs) in Plateau State.

In the same timeframe, over 120 were massacred in Gwer-West and Ukum LGAs of Benue State.
As well as numerous unreported cases

COPDEM insists these killings were not random acts of violence, they were systematic and planned to instill fear and destroy entire communities.

2025: A year of unrelenting attacks

The security breakdown in 2025 has affected every region of Nigeria.

In the North-East, terrorist groups maintain a stronghold in areas like Damboa, Gwoza, and parts of the Lake Chad region.

In the North-West, banditry and mass abductions have intensified, especially in places like Maradun (Zamfara) and Birnin Gwari (Kaduna).

The North-Central is not spared, with armed groups in control of Shiroro (Niger), Mangu/ Bokkos Bassa (Plateau), and Guma (Benue).

The South-East is witnessing escalating violence in Orlu (Imo) and Onitsha (Anambra).

South-South, isolated attack on innocent citizens in their homes , farmlands and the creeks of Warri (Delta) and Port Harcourt (Rivers).

In the South-West, criminal cells and kidnappers operate with brazen impunity in Eti-Osa (Lagos) and the Oke-Ogun axis in Oyo State.

Known terrorist dens and hideouts

COPDEM listed key terrorist enclaves that remain active, unchallenged, and dangerously organized.

These include Sambisa Forest (Borno State), Sububu Forest (Zamfara State), Uzo-Uwani Forest (Enugu State), Shiroro Forest (Niger State) the Plateau, Southern Kaduna & Nasarawa states borderline corridor, Orlu Forest (Imo State), the creeks of the Niger Delta (Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta), and the Oke-Ogun axis (Oyo State).

Weaponized poverty and state collapse

Meanwhile, Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) are left to rot in camps or roaming as squatters across the country without protection, hope, or state intervention.

Failure of government accountability

The group was especially critical of the federal government’s lack of accountability.

According to COPDEM, despite years of violence, not a single arrest, trial, or conviction has been made in connection with the mass killings.

No service chief has been court-martialed, sacked, or held responsible for the ongoing genocide happening under their watch.

COPDEM’s urgent demands

The coalition listed ten immediate actions it expects the government to take.

First, declare a national state of emergency on insecurity.

This action must be immediate and unconditional.

Second, dismantle all known terrorist hideouts.
Launch simultaneous, coordinated military operations to flush out terrorists from their strongholds.

Third, disarm the country.

Conduct a comprehensive national mop-up of illicit firearms.

The Armed Forces must search forests, creeks, and urban centers.

All necessary resources and fire power supplies must be immediately released to the Nigerian military.

Fourth, station permanent military task forces in all flashpoints.

Fifth, return all IDPs to their homes with state guarantees.
Anyone found occupying any IDPs ancestral lands after the indigenous communities were sacked must be prosecuted for genocide.

Sixth, halt all public services except essentials.

Civil society, labor unions, and citizens must shut down public functions until the government restores order.

Seventh, suspend all legislative activities unrelated to security.

The National Assembly has 14 working days to refocus on security and electoral reforms or face mass recall.

Eighth, name and prosecute all sponsors of any form of terrorism or violence.

No political, traditional, or security leader should be exempt from justice.

Ninth, recruit and deploy youth-led community security units.

These units must be rooted in justice, accountability, and community participation.

Tenth, invest in peacebuilding and justice.

Equity and justice must form the foundation of a new, secure Nigeria.

A final ultimatum to the federal government

COPDEM concluded its statement with a final four-part ultimatum to the federal government.

Thirty days to declare a state of emergency on insecurity.

Sixty days to demonstrate measurable reduction in violence or face a nationwide civic shutdown.

Fourteen working days for the National Assembly to realign its priorities or face mass recall campaigns.
90 days to finalise the process of unconditional return all IDPs to their ancestral homeland

A call to action for all Nigerians

COPDEM ended with a resounding call to citizens.

“Stand up.”

“Speak out.”

“Demand safety.”

“Demand justice.”

“Demand leadership.”

“The blood of our people cries out.”

“The hour of reckoning is here.”

“We will not beg for protection, we will demand it.”

The message from COPDEM is clear, urgent, and uncompromising.

Nigeria must be rescued now or face total collapse.

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